Here and worldwide people are feeling detached from society and lonely, so they grab onto populist political leaders and parties
This is a moment that calls for strong leaders and a united nation. Right now, we don’t have either
In its court papers filed on Thursday, the party said the fiscal framework that will lead to the tax increase was pushed through unprocedurally
The Democratic Alliance now plans to challenge the fiscal framework in court, further raising the tension around its future in the ruling coalition
But the presidency said on Wednesday the crunch vote on the fiscal framework was a test of the party’s commitment to the GNU
The ANC secretary general also said there was no truth to rumours that it and the DA had reached an agreement
The minister also took a swipe at the DA during the inaugural Aziz Pahad dialogue, saying government was implementing the will of the people, not ANC policy
Divisions in the party have emerged over VAT hikes, coalition negotiations, and fiscal policy strategies
Budget approval hangs in the balance and resistance to it is set to play out in the legislature’s finance committees
The Democratic Alliance said the budget would struggle to pass in parliament, given the ANC’s lack of a majority
His party would have yielded if any increases were guaranteed to be temporary and tied to an overhaul of state spending patterns
The finance minister suggests that much of the opposition wrangling is part of a broader political battle
The minister conceded that the measure did not have support across the political spectrum
Members of the government of national unity and opposition parties have raised concerns that the ongoing impasse between the ANC and DA could trigger the need for fresh elections
The problem isn’t value-added tax – it’s relentless taxation amid financial mismanagement
The Democratic Alliance has suggested cutting government budgets for advertising, travel and catering, and a freeze on hiring for non-essential positions to make up the budget shortfall
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavhenini said the postponement was necessary to address funding challenges within a constrained fiscal environment
We all have the obligation to participate publicly because it is our collective responsibility to advance South Africa Inc.
The DA has upped the ante in its demands for consultation on every point of government policy, although ANC ministers also opposed a planned VAT increase
The parties accused parliament of failing its constitutional duties after the delay, caused by divisions in the unity government over a proposed VAT hike
The ANC and its GNU partners are divided over South Africa’s military involvement in the DRC, as opposition parties call for an immediate withdrawal of troops
The president was applauded for his stance on Trump’s backlash against South Africa, saying racial redress, equality and diversity would not be abandoned
Behind the bitter press conferences, buried beneath the combative media headlines, realpolitik was at work
The Democratic Alliance leader said speculation he is facing a leadership challenge ahead of the 2026 elective congress is a ‘fantasy’ aimed at sowing division
President Cyril Ramaphosa hopes to hold discussions with the US’s Donald Trump to move beyond ‘current disturbances’ in South Africa’s relationship with Washington
The treasury wants to raise taxes on alcoholic beverages and set a minimum price per unit
The ANC says the DA leader’s outbursts reflect his insecurity about his future
Three groups emerged: those who negotiated quietly to set up the GNU; loyalists in the DA, ANC, EFF and MK party and the rogues in and out of trouble with the law
The country’s ports and rail systems are shambolic, but GNU and a pause in load-shedding have elicited some optimism
It will also try to ease dealings with its partners in the government of national unity (GNU), in particular the DA, ahead of local government election campaigning
Some Khayelitsha residents say the ANC has learned from its past mistakes and is ready to make amends
He also said Jacob Zuma was a ‘counter-revolutionary’ who ‘sold his people for nothing’